The Cubs will hire Willie Harris as their new third base coach, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports Chicago. Buster Olney of ESPN first reported the job was likely to go to Harris. He’ll take over for Will Venable, who left to become Boston’s bench coach.
The 42-year-old Harris is best known for a long major league career that spanned from 2001-12. The former infielder/outfielder played for several teams during that run and won a World Series title with the White Sox in 2005.
Since his playing career ended, Harris has held multiple coaching positions. He first managed the Giants’ Double-A affiliate in 2018 before joining the Reds organization as a baserunning and outfield coordinator the next year. Harris’ hiring with the Cubs will complete manager David Ross’ staff for 2021.
We’re so back.
People kid like this is the big move for the Cubs but it might be worse than that. There isn’t talk of a “retool” there is talk of cutting payroll. Which means they could possibly be looking to simply subtraction without addition that could help 2021. Theo left a year early for that reason IMO. He wanted one last shot and Ricketts wanted to decrease payroll. Very hard to do both
Jerome Jurenovich’s favorite player!
He was a sportscaster with CNN back in the day doing headline sports.
Have not heard his name in a while!
Revenge for Len Kasper move to WSox!
Kasper was ok but honestly I prefer listening to Pat Hughes on the Cubs radio broadcast anyway.
Pat has a great tone and pace, but he can be boring. Len was great. Len and Bob Brenly was a great combo, and so was Len and JD. Len will be missed. He was the voice of the Cubs for a generation of fans
Time to being Steve Stone back
I liked Len. Chris Myers is a terrible replacement.
Chris Meyers has not replaced Len
Thats not what I heard. He already works part time for NBC Chicago. He worked a part time on Marquee network.
Our next move is to poach the Cubs equipment manager.
Leave him alone!
Solid move for the Cubs. He’ll bring his 2005 World Series experience and base running knowledge with him!
Hey Chitown, since you got Adam Eaton back, a really solid move would be to bring Drake LaRoche back. The Sox’s clubhouse definitely needs a teenage leader and hero to put them over the top.
Tony says let me have a drink and think about that. Well, maybe a couple of drinks.
His morning coffee will being Irish without the coffee.
You know it s a tough offseason when your two best acquisitions are a Third-Base coach and a Broadcaster..
Highly doubt David Ross had much say so about the hire.
Correct
Meanwhile on the south side of town a team is actually participating in the winter meetings.
Yup…-0.9 WAR Adam Eaton was a great participation trophy
I met his dad in a random gas station in Ga one time. I was in high school and we were in our ball uniforms. He was so excited to ask if we knew who Willie Harris was
Then you started to describe him but he said “no, that’s Timo Pérez.”
Well done sir.
He was decent in MVP Baseball 2005.
I was gonna say, good dude off the bench in MVP 05…
Pretty low stakes but I like it
Does anyone really care who gets credit for reporting this first?
Welcome waving Willie!
This story is incorrect. Harris didn’t first manage in the Giants system. He first managed in 2017 with tge Winston-Salem Dash, the High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. I know because I covered him and the team.
He’s only 42? It feels like it’s been an eternity since he played.